Three sided shoe heel wear insert

ABSTRACT

A shoe is provided herewith that includes a heel having a centerline and cutout for a heel wear insert recessed into the heel; and a heel wear insert removably attached to the heel in the cutout for the heel wear insert. The heel wear insert has at least three curved sides around a perimeter of the heel wear insert. Each curve of the three sides of the heel wear insert is identical to the curve of the other of the sides of the heel wear insert, which allows the heel wear insert to be turned from a first position that provides a first wear edge, to a second position that provides a second wear edge, and third position that provides a third wear edge.

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/313,580, filed Mar. 12, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to shoe heels and more particularly shoe heel wear inserts.

Heels are commonly the first to wear on shoes. When this occurs, the heel is replaced or most often the shoe is discarded. All of these options are costly and inconvenient. A number of systems have been proposed for extending the life of shoes, such as those discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,832,744, 2,095,110, 2,221,718, 2,530,395, 5,615,497, 5,826,352, each of which are incorporated herein by reference. The replaceable heel inserts discussed therein, however, are now without substantial limitations, including requiring professional installation and limited life. Accordingly, there is a need for heel wear inserts that can be easily replaced and that can be reused more than once

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In at least one embodiment, a shoe is provided that includes a heel having a centerline and cutout for a heel wear insert recessed into the heel; and a heel wear insert removably attached to the heel in the cutout for the heel wear insert. The heel wear insert has a plurality of curved sides around at least a portion of a perimeter of the heel wear insert that intersect at at least a point A and a point B, and a line drawn between points A and B is other than perpendicular to the centerline of the heel.

In one embodiment, the heel wear insert has a wear area between points A and B, and the curve of a side that is biased toward a side of the heel that experiences greater wear. Each curve of the sides of the heel wear insert may be identical to the curve of another of the sides of the heel wear insert, which allows the heel wear insert to be turned from a first position that provides a first wear edge to another position that provides another wear edge.

In one embodiment, the heel wear insert includes at least three curved sides, where each curve of the three sides of the heel wear insert is identical to the curve of the other of the sides of the heel wear insert, which allows the heel wear insert to be turned from a first position that provides a first wear edge, to a second position that provides a second wear edge, and third position that provides a third wear edge. Lines drawn between the intersections of the curved sides of the three sided heel wear insert may form an equilateral triangle. The heel and the heel wear insert each may have an outer surface that would come into contact with the ground that are essentially on the same plane.

In one embodiment, one of the heel and the heel wear insert includes at least one post and the other of the heel and the heel wear insert has a hole that receives the at least one post.

In one embodiment, one of the heel and the heel wear insert includes a plurality of posts and the other of the heel and the heel wear insert has a plurality of holes that receive each of the plurality of the posts. In this instance, the posts and the holes are located on the vertices of the equilateral triangle equidistant from the center point of the triangle.

In one embodiment, at least one post has a dimension greater than a diameter of the at least one hole to provide a positive grip there between. The at least one post may also be tapered for grip free initial insertion into the at least one hole.

In one embodiment, the heel insert is removably attached to the heel with a friction fit only and replacement of the heel insert is accomplished by prying the heel insert from the heel.

In one embodiment, the show includes a second heel wear insert that has a characteristic different that the first heel wear insert, such as a wear rating, comfort level, slip resistance, and electrical conductivity.

In another embodiment, a shoe is provided that includes a heel having a centerline and cutout for a heel wear insert recessed into the heel; and a heel wear insert removably attached to the heel in the cutout for the heel wear insert. The heel wear insert has at least three curved sides around a perimeter of the heel wear insert that intersect at at least a point A and a point B. Further, each curve of the three sides of the heel wear insert is identical to the curve of the other of the sides of the heel wear insert, which allows the heel wear insert to be turned from a first position that provides a first wear edge, to a second position that provides a second wear edge, and third position that provides a third wear edge.

In one embodiment, a line drawn between points A and B is other than perpendicular to the centerline of the heel, and a wear area between points A and B, and the curve of a side is biased toward a side of the heel that experiences greater wear.

In one embodiment, lines drawn between the intersections of the curved sides of the heel wear insert form an equilateral triangle.

In one embodiment, one of the heel and the heel wear insert includes at least one post and the other of the heel and the heel wear insert has a hole that receives the at least one post.

In one embodiment, one of the heel and the heel wear insert includes a plurality of posts and the other of the heel and the heel wear insert has a plurality of holes that receive each of the plurality of the posts. In this instance, the posts and the holes located on the vertices of the equilateral triangle equidistant from the center point of the triangle.

In one embodiment, at least one post has a dimension greater than a diameter of the at least one hole to provide a positive grip there between. The at least one post may further be tapered for grip free initial insertion into the at least one hole.

In one embodiment, a line drawn between points A and B is perpendicular to the centerline of the heel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a heel according to at least one embodiment of the heels disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a heel wear insert template according to at least one embodiment of the inserts disclosed herein.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a heel with a template superimposed thereon according to at least one embodiment of the inserts disclosed herein.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a heel with a heel wear insert installed according to at least one embodiment of the inserts disclosed herein.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a heel with a heel wear insert installed according to at least one embodiment of the inserts disclosed herein.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a heel with a heel wear insert removed according to at least one embodiment of the inserts disclosed herein.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a heel with a heel wear insert installed according to at least one embodiment of the inserts disclosed herein.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a heel with a heel wear insert removed according to at least one embodiment of the inserts disclosed herein.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of a heel with a heel wear insert disposed therein according to at least one embodiment of the inserts disclosed herein.

FIGS. 10-11 are perspective views of a heel with a heel wear insert according to at least one embodiment of the inserts disclosed herein.

FIGS. 12-13 are cross sectional views of a heel with a heel wear insert according to at least one embodiment of the inserts disclosed herein.

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of a heel with a heel wear insert according to at least one embodiment of the inserts disclosed herein

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a heel with a heel wear insert according to at least one embodiment of the inserts disclosed herein

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a heel 100 of a shoe is shown that has a centerline 104. The heel 100 further has an area that experiences greater wear 102. As can be seen, the wear area 102 is biased or otherwise offset toward one side of the centerline 104. Accordingly, a two, three or more sided removable heel wear insert is provided herewith that is biased or otherwise offset relative to the centerline of the heel toward the area of the heel that experiences the greatest wear thereby extending the wearing life of the heel and/or the shoe.

Referring to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, a three sided heel insert 200 is provided with three curved sides 204, each of the sides 204 identically curved. In this respect, the curves 204 intersect at points A, B, and C. The lines AB, BC, and CA form an equilateral triangle. While installed on the heel 100 of a shoe one of the sides 204 of the insert 200 will be the actual wearing edge 102 of the heel 100. When that edge is worn, the insert 200 may be lifted out from the heel 100 of the shoe and turned one third of the way around so that another of the two sides 204 of the insert 200 replaces the worn edge with a new wearing surface. This will enable the wearer to improve both the life and the look of the shoe. Further, after all three sides of the insert are worn down, the insert itself, can be replaced without requiring the services of a shoemaker as will be explained in greater detail below. Although the heel insert will be described herein with a specific number of sides, e.g., two or three, it is understood that the insert may be created with more than three sides.

The process by which a manufacturer develops a three sided heel insert is as follows: First, the manufacturer selects the outer limits of that part of the edge of the heel 100 he or she wished to replicate. A straight line, such as line AB shown in FIG. 1, is then drawn connecting those two points. The line is preferably drawn diagonally relative to the centerline 104 so that the curved portion 204 of the heel 100 between the points of intersection with the straight line A and B represents all or most of the wearing edge of the heel 100. That is, the line drawn is not perpendicular to the centerline of the heel, as shown. For illustrative purposes only we can use 40 mm for the length of the line. An equilateral triangle is then created in which the connecting line AB represents one side of the triangle. The precise profile of the outer edge 204 of the heel 100 may then be replicated behind each of the other sides BC and CA of the equilateral triangle to create the outline for the insert shown in FIG. 2. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the equilateral triangle of the three sided insert is made as large as may be practically accommodated by the heel. For example, the three sided wear insert may occupy 50% or greater of the area of the heel. This maximizes the wear area 102 and ensures that when rotated evidence of any wear in another wear area will not be visible as the shoe is worn.

Referring to FIG. 3, the insert 200 may then be cut out of the heel 100 of the shoe and used as a template to produce heel inserts 200 and heels 100 with cutouts therein to receive the heel inserts 200. A three sided insert 200 incorporating all 3 profiles may be placed into or otherwise removably attached to a corresponding cutout 300 in the heel 100 of a shoe, as shown in FIGS. 4-15. The cutout 300 may be cut or molded into the heel or the heel area of the sole of a shoe. The curved portion 204 of the heel insert 200 does not necessarily need to be circular. Rather, because of the off center orientation of the insert, the curved portion 204 is likely a complex, irregular shape that consists of multiple regular curved portions, as shown in FIG. 9, which has a compound curve having at least two regular curved sections adjacent to each other. The amount of the offset shown as alpha in FIG. 9 will generally vary depending on the size and shape of the heel. For example, alpha may range from about 5 degrees to about 60 degrees or any increment in between.

Referring to FIG. 5, in one embodiment, the centerline of the heel and the line AB representing the wear area 102 are perpendicular to each other. In this instance, the heel insert 200 has identically curved sides 204 on each side of the equilateral triangle drawn between the intersections of the curved areas. The insert 200 preferably has a thickness that is less that the thickness of the heel 100. In this respect, the heel 100 has a cutout 300 with a recessed, planer surface 602, as shown in FIG. 6, which mates with the inner, planer surface of the insert 200. Alternatively, the centerline of the heel and the line AB representing the wear area 102 may be other than perpendicular to each other, as shown in FIGS. 7-8.

The insert 200 may be attached to the heel 100 by a number of means. Preferably, the insert 200 is removably attached to the heel 100 in a manner that does not require special tools for removal. For example, the insert 200 can be attached by a Velcro backing, or the insert 200 can be screwed in place using a threaded screw or bolt that extends into corresponding threads in the heel 100. In at least one embodiment, the heel insert 200 is attached to the heel 100 with one or more posts that are molded as part of the insert 200 or as part of the heel 100, as shown in FIGS. 5-16. For example, a triangular post 604 may be molded into the insert 200 and a corresponding triangular cavity 608 may be molded into the heel 100 to receive the post 604, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8. Multiple posts may also be used, however, the posts should preferably be placed on the center point of the equilateral triangle and/or on the vertices of the equilateral triangle equidistant from the center point so that the insert may be rotated as described herein, as shown in FIGS. 10-15. These posts fit into a hole or holes in the body of the heel or heel area of the sole. The posts may similarly and preferably be a molded part of the heel 100 that fit into a hole or holes in the insert 200, as shown in FIG. 11. To provide a positive grip, these posts may be constructed slightly wider than the holes that they lock into. In place, the tight fit between the posts and the holes retain the insert in or on the heel. The tip or tips of the posts may be tapered to ease initial insertion. In this instance, when the wearer wishes to remove or replace the insert all that needs to be done is to pry the insert away from the heel. For example, the wearer may slip a metal edge, such as a letter opener, knife or screwdriver between the insert and the heel to pry the insert free.

Although the insert may be described herein with reference to a three sided insert, other configurations may also be used. For example, a two sided insert may be used, such as that shown in FIGS. 14-15. More than three sides may also be used. For example, four sides may be used, in which case the geometric shape used will be a square instead of a triangle. Similarly, five sides may be used and the geometric shape would be a pentagon, etc.

The insert may be inserted into a sole with a separate heel, as shown in FIG. 10 or it may be inserted into a one-piece sole, as shown in FIG. 11.

As an aid to releasing the insert, a tiny channel, e.g., the width of a screwdriver head can be molded or cut into either the insert 200 or the receiving heel cavity 300 to facilitate removal. In a similar manner, the entire insert can be replaced when all 3 sides are worn, or when the wearer wishes to switch to an insert with different material characteristics, such as greater slip resistance or cushioning.

As noted herein, wearers may replace the insert when all of the available sides of the insert are spent. The ability to replace the insert further allows the wearer to replace the insert with similarly shaped inserts having different characteristics. For example, a first heal insert having a particular wear rating may be replaced with another insert having a different wear rating, e.g., more or less resistant to wear. Similarly, inserts may have different comfort, slip resistance, and electrical conductivity characteristics. With regard to comfort, the some inserts may be made of softer compounds than other inserts thereby altering the feel of the shoe for the wearer. Slip resistance may be altered with different compounds as well as different patterns on the exterior side of the insert. For example, one insert may have a relatively smooth outer surface whereas another may include grooves or ridges.

While the foregoing invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, from a reading of the disclosure, that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the true scope of the invention. 

1. A shoe comprising: a heel having a centerline and cutout for a heel wear insert recessed into the heel; and a heel wear insert removably attached to the heel in the cutout for the heel wear insert, the heel wear insert having a plurality of curved sides around at least a portion of a perimeter of the heel wear insert that intersect at at least a point A and a point B, and wherein a line drawn between points A and B is other than perpendicular to the centerline of the heel.
 2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the heel wear insert has a wear area between points A and B, and the curve of a side that is biased toward a side of the heel that experiences greater wear.
 3. The shoe of claim 2, wherein each curve of the sides of the heel wear insert is identical to the curve of another of the sides of the heel wear insert allowing the heel wear insert to be turned from a first position that provides a first wear edge to another position that provides another wear edge.
 4. The shoe of claim 2, wherein the heel wear insert includes at least three curved sides, wherein each curve of the three sides of the heel wear insert is identical to the curve of the other of the sides of the heel wear insert allowing the heel wear insert to be turned from a first position that provides a first wear edge, to a second position that provides a second wear edge, and third position that provides a third wear edge.
 5. The shoe of claim 4, wherein lines drawn between the intersections of the curved sides of the heel wear insert form an equilateral triangle.
 6. The shoe of claim 5, wherein the heel and the heel wear insert each have an outer surface that are essentially on the same plane.
 7. The shoe of claim 5, wherein one of the heel and the heel wear insert comprises at least one post and the other of the heel and the heel wear insert has a hole that receives the at least one post.
 8. The shoe of claim 7, wherein one of the heel and the heel wear insert comprises a plurality of posts and the other of the heel and the heel wear insert has a plurality of holes that receive each of the plurality of the posts, the posts and the holes located on the vertices of the equilateral triangle equidistant from the center point of the triangle.
 9. The shoe of claim 7, wherein the at least one post has a dimension greater than a diameter of the at least one hole to provide a positive grip there between.
 10. The shoe of claim 9, wherein the at least one post is tapered for grip free initial insertion into the at least one hole.
 11. The shoe of claim 4, wherein the heel insert is removably attached to the heel with a friction fit only and replacement of the heel insert is accomplished by prying the heel insert from the heel.
 12. The shoe of claim 1, further comprising a second heel wear insert having a characteristic different that the first heel wear insert.
 13. The shoe of claim 12, wherein the characteristic comprises at least one of a wear rating, comfort level, slip resistance, and electrical conductivity.
 14. A shoe comprising: a heel having a centerline and cutout for a heel wear insert recessed into the heel; and a heel wear insert removably attached to the heel in the cutout for the heel wear insert, the heel wear insert having at least three curved sides around a perimeter of the heel wear insert that intersect at at least a point A and a point B, wherein each curve of the three sides of the heel wear insert is identical to the curve of the other of the sides of the heel wear insert allowing the heel wear insert to be turned from a first position that provides a first wear edge, to a second position that provides a second wear edge, and third position that provides a third wear edge.
 15. The shoe of claim 14, wherein a line drawn between points A and B is other than perpendicular to the centerline of the heel, and a wear area between points A and B, and the curve of a side is biased toward a side of the heel that experiences greater wear.
 16. The shoe of claim 14, wherein lines drawn between the intersections of the curved sides of the heel wear insert form an equilateral triangle.
 17. The shoe of claim 16, wherein one of the heel and the heel wear insert comprises at least one post and the other of the heel and the heel wear insert has a hole that receives the at least one post.
 18. The shoe of claim 17, wherein one of the heel and the heel wear insert comprises a plurality of posts and the other of the heel and the heel wear insert has a plurality of holes that receive each of the plurality of the posts, the posts and the holes located on the vertices of the equilateral triangle equidistant from the center point of the triangle.
 19. The shoe of claim 17, wherein the at least one post has a dimension greater than a diameter of the at least one hole to provide a positive grip there between and the at least one post is tapered for grip free initial insertion into the at least one hole.
 20. The shoe of claim 14, wherein a line drawn between points A and B is perpendicular to the centerline of the heel. 